Definition of pre-qualify in English:

verb

His aim was to get through five matches to progress through pre-qualifying to qualifying proper for the televised tournament.

‘There may well be a chance of playing in the Hong Kong Open next month if some of the bigger names pull out and I might even go to South Africa to try to pre-qualify for their tour early next year,’ he added.

‘There are four pre-qualifying events which all take place at the same time - between March 31 and April 1,’ said Wheatley.